Buy and Bye: (and the rest of the story)

Waste disposal: Experts have outlined a number of environmental problems in Sri Lanka and among them on top are solid waste generation collection, and disposal. One recent report notes, "Uncontrolled dumping of the remaining waste on vacant lands and roadsides is quite common.

Existing collection services are not always adequate." It also states that improper handling of solid waste in city and urban areas is a major cause of water quality deterioration, land degradation, air pollution and pollution of our shoreline.

According to Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Sri Lanka generates almost 2840 mt. of solid waste everyday. Of this amount, Western Province generates 66 per cent. Colombo accounts for 700 mt and Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia, 150 mt.

The numbers reflect massive accumulation of waste and suggests the need for intensive efforts to remove it and to implement a sustained plan to keep the cities clean.

During the past three decades, local bodies have developed different waste management systems with varying efficiencies and procedures.

However, the common feature of all these systems was that lack of planning and foresight have led to weak strategies resulting in improper waste handling and the waste accumulation in open areas. It has also led to an unplanned maintenance system in which trucks pick up waste at inconvenient times, thus creating a negative public image.

There are internationally-accepted public awareness measures related to strategies for the collection of solid waste and prevention of waste littering and burning. Unfortunately, for some reason, we do not seem to have any such public awareness system in our country. If we had, it would have given special focus to the different target sectors and utilize the expertise of local population. Then the situation would not have been this worse.

In most cases, communication between our local bodies and the communities they serve has become weak, marked by lack of coordination and one-sided decision-making processes. I see the reasons behind this aloofness as the lack of focus on the positive role communities can play in the planning and service provision and also the lack of services provided by the local bodies due to financial constraints.

Is there anything individual consumers (like you and me) can do to help alleviate our mounting solid waste problem? Yes, there is a lot we can do. First of all, we must make environmentally friendly decisions about our everyday things like shopping and caring for the garden.

Each year, we generate millions of tons of solid waste in the form of wrappings, bottles, boxes, cans, furniture, appliances, tyres, clothing and much more. There are creative ways to reduce and better manage this solid waste through a co-ordinated mix of practices. They are proven systems in other countries.

First, source reduction: This is the basic solution to the garbage glut. Because source reduction actually prevents the generation of waste in the first place, it comes before other management options that deal with solid waste after it is already generated.

After source reduction, recycling and composting are the preferred waste management options because they reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and conserve resources. Putting source reduction into practice is likely to require some change in our daily routines.

Changing habits does not mean a return to a more difficult lifestyle, however. In fact, just the opposite may happen. If we don't reduce waste, the economic and social costs of waste disposal will continue to increase, and we (as communities) will face increasingly harder decisions about managing the solid waste.

At the same time, Local Governments can create the most appropriate source reduction measures for their areas.

For example, introduce a fee system that require households and businesses to pay for solid waste disposal based on the amount they toss out.

Large consumers-manufacturers, hotels-can prevent waste in a variety of ways, including using products that create less solid waste. Local manufacturers also can design products that use fewer hazardous components, require less packaging, are recyclable, use recycled materials, and result in less waste when they are no longer useful.

Individuals can evaluate their daily waste-producing activities to determine those that are essential (such as choosing medicines and foods packaged for safety and health), and those that are not (such as throwing away glass or plastic jars that could be reused).

However, a word of caution is needed. It is important to remember that all actions will have some effect on the environment. If reusable products need to be washed, for example, there may be an increase in water use. In such situations, we must consider options, alternatives and opportunity-costs and take the right decision.

We all have the power to help create the type of the environment in which we want to live. It is just a matter of determination and making simple adjustments in our daily lifestyles.